McCarty Honored as AFCA Regional Coach of the Year for Second-Straight Season

McCarty brings in his third-career AFCA Region Coach of the Year honor

WACO, Texas – For the third time in his time leading the Red Raider football program, and for the second-straight season, the Northwestern College head football coach Matt McCarty has been named the Region IV Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) within the five regions of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

It now marks back-to-back seasons McCarty is earning the honor outright after leading Northwestern to a 13-0 (10-0 GPAC) record heading into the NAIA Semifinals on Saturday. It marks four-straight trips to the NAIA Semifinals for McCarty and company.

Northwestern has continued to put up top numbers in the NAIA this season, to note a few: third down conversions (57%, 1^st), opponent's points per game (14.8, T5th), first downs per game (23.8, 6^th), total touchdowns (65, 7^th), defensive interceptions (18, T9th), total yards per game (433.7, 11^th). Cody Moser (Jr., Rock Valley, Iowa) leads the NAIA with his 10 interceptions, Michael Storey (Sr., Spencer, Iowa) is tied for fourth with his 13 receiving touchdowns, and Konner McQuillan (Sr., Leavenworth, Kan.) sits sixth with his 18 rushing scores.

In his eighth season leading the football program, McCarty has compiled an overall record of 79-18 and 62-11 in Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) play. He has posted a record of 12-5 in NAIA Football Championship Series (FCS) play.

He won the honor in a co-Coach of the year capacity back in 2017, along with Morningside's Steve Ryan, leading the Raiders to a 10-2 (7-1 GPAC) record with a trip to the NAIA FCS Quarterfinal round in just his second season as head coach.

The Raiders continue their hunt for another Red Banner when they play host to the Georgetown (Ky.) College Tigers on Saturday, December 9 for the final game at De Valois Stadium for the 2023 season.

Across all levels of football (NCAA FBS, FCS, Division II, Division III, and NAIA) that the AFCA gives awards, McCarty is one of four coaches from the 2022 honorees to repeat as winners this season. He joins Florida A&M's Willie Simmons (NCAA FCS), Chennis Berry of Benedict College (NCAA Division II), and Jason Couch of Alma College (NCAA Division III).

The national coaches of the year will be announced in January by the AFCA. All Region Coaches of the Year are finalists for the National Coach of the Year award.

Don't forget to follow Northwestern College Athletics on Facebook @nwcraiders, Twitter @nwcraiders, and Instagram @nwcraiders! #RaidersStandOut

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Players Mentioned

#3 Konner McQuillan: RB; 6' 0"; Senior

#4 Cody Moser: DB; 6' 2"; Junior

#4 Michael Storey: WR; 6' 3"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#3 Konner McQuillan
: 6' 0"; Senior
: RB

#4 Cody Moser
: 6' 2"; Junior
: DB

#4 Michael Storey
: 6' 3"; Senior
: WR

Players Mentioned

#3 Konner McQuillan

#4 Cody Moser

#4 Michael Storey

Players Mentioned

#3 Konner McQuillan

#4 Cody Moser

#4 Michael Storey